SKIP TO CONTENTDo you borrow your parents’ car, your friend’s car, or even a neighbor’s car regularly? If so, knowing what you should do in the aftermath of a borrowed car accident is important.
More specifically, you should understand whose liability insurance coverage is used if you’re ever injured while driving a vehicle you borrowed. As you might imagine, determining liability in a case like this can be complicated.
The rules and regulations regarding whose insurance pays if you’re injured in a borrowed car change from one state to the next, making the legal process even less clear-cut without a detailed understanding of the law. Learn about how it all works in Oklahoma below.
When a Car Owner’s Insurance Covers Injuries Sustained in a Borrowed Car Accident
As a general rule of thumb, a car insurance policy typically “follows the car and not the driver” in Oklahoma and many other states. The car owner’s policy will likely cover your medical expenses if you’re injured in a borrowed car accident. It will also cover any repair expenses associated with the vehicle damage sustained during your crash.
Vehicle owners in Oklahoma are welcome to lend their cars to others thanks to a concept called permissive use. This principle allows people to let others drive their vehicles even if they aren’t listed on their car insurance policies.
However, despite this concept, those who own vehicles in Oklahoma must take owner responsibility seriously when lending out their cars. They may have to cover the costs if their vehicles are ever involved in accidents while others are driving them.
When Your Insurance Covers Injuries Suffered in a Borrowed Car Accident
If you have your own auto insurance policy for your vehicle when you’re involved in a borrowed car accident, there is a chance it could come into play at some point. If, for example, the limits on a vehicle owner’s insurance policy are on the lower side, it might not cover the injuries you sustained.
In this instance, your auto insurance policy will serve as secondary insurance. You will need to include your insurance company in your initial car accident injury claim to ensure that the different insurance companies are on the same page.
When Another Driver’s Insurance Covers Injuries Stemming From a Borrowed Car Accident
Oklahoma utilizes an at-fault car insurance system. Whoever is to blame for a car accident is responsible for the damages that other drivers are left with after a crash.
In this case, neither you nor the owner of the car you borrowed will need to worry about your insurance policies paying for damages and injuries. The other driver who demonstrated driver negligence will have to foot the bill. It ultimately all comes down to who takes on accident liability for the crash in question.
Just be sure you’re prepared for a potential legal battle if there is any doubt about whether or not another driver was negligent. Their insurance company could bring a case against you, a vehicle owner, or other drivers involved in your borrowed car accident. That’s where having the right legal representation becomes crucial.
Touch Base With Us To Discuss the Complexities of Your Borrowed Car Accident
A borrowed car accident is often more confusing than the average car accident. For this reason, you should speak with a car accident attorney from a reputable law firm like Bryan Garrett, PLLC, after your involvement in a crash in a borrowed car. Contact us at (405) 972-6931 to arrange a consultation with a trusted car accident lawyer who knows the law inside and out.
